The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Indore): The Indore administration has revoked permission for a Christian community prayer meeting that was scheduled to occur this Wednesday, due to concerns over law and order. The meeting was expected to draw about 8,000 attendees with Chennai-based Christian preacher Dr. Paul Dhinakaran set to be the keynote speaker.
Originally granted permission on April 5, the event faced opposition from Hindu organizations and other social groups, leading to a formal complaint to the election officer of the Indore Lok Sabha constituency. The groups alleged that the event aimed to mislead and convert members of the Hindu community, posing a threat to public peace.
Based on a law and order assessment from the Tukoganj police station in Indore, the assistant election officer decided to cancel the previously approved meeting. The complaint detailed concerns that the event could incite community unrest.
In response, Suresh Carleton, chairman of the meeting’s organizing committee, insisted the allegations were unfounded. He explained that the meeting was intended for local Christians to pray for national peace and harmony, under the ‘National Prayer and Ministry Alliance’. Despite these reassurances, the matter escalated to the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, where Justice Subodh Abhyankar heard the case.
The court upheld the cancellation, noting that while the meeting’s intentions might be religious, the concerns regarding potential disturbances were not without merit. The decision reflects ongoing tensions in Indore regarding interfaith activities and the sensitive nature of religious gatherings in the politically charged atmosphere of an election cycle.